The Regar (also known as Raigar, Rehgar, Raigarh, Ranigar, Rehgarh)[ citation needed] are a caste group of India. They are sometimes associated with the Chamar caste [1] but, for example, the sociologist Bela Bhatia considers them to be distinct. [2] The Regar are found in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.[ citation needed] They are known as Regar in the Mewar region of Rajasthan. [3]
Once leatherworkers, [4] at the beginning of the 20th century, the British Raj administration imposed restrictions on the indigenous manufacturing of saltpetre which destroyed their livelihood. [5] At least some community members served as bonded labour (begari) during the British Raj era. [1] Many today work in agriculture. [4]
They have been described as an untouchable caste by anthropologist Maya Unnithan-Kumar [6] and as Dalits by another anthropologist, Mary Grey, [1] and by Bhatia. [2] [a]
In Rajasthan, for example, the Regars, Kolis, Khatiks, Valmikis and similar Dalit castes, which are comparatively "weaker" than the Chamars, do not cooperate with them. According to Mimroth, this is because - in their perception - the Chamars pick fights with the upper castes without adequate cause.